Origins of the Imperial Japanese Navy - Dawn of the Rising Sun 

Pinned post for Q&A :)

Last time I was this early, France was still slapping hotels onto pre-dreadnought hulls

Shogunate official: "Look here's another one of those treaties now please go away thank you and bye." British officer: "...nani?"

12:48 In the first proper battle ever fought between the USN and Japanese warships (the legal technicalities admittedly being a mess), the Japanese ships sunk by the Americans went down in shallow water and could thus be re-floated and put back into service… … Boy, that’s a valuable lesson, I wonder if Japan will remember it later…

28:00 The torpedo boats clearly left an impression on the Russians.

This video is proof at how awesome Drachinifel is at this stuff. He is far better than all the so called professional documentaries I've watched on TV.

4:54 ah yes, Commodore Matthew Perry is my favorite Rogue Trader

27:00 "teenage anarchist forced into their first job by their parents." One of the things I come to love about his presentations.

13:57. Thus, begins one of the bloodiest and most convoluted interservice rivalries in modern history.

It's not hard to imagine the shock and concern created in the mind of any Japanese civil or military leader by the result of the Opium War, not to mention the Arrow War. The mighty colossus of China that loomed over Japan for a thousand years being humiliated by the barbarians and their modern steam fleets would be something like humanity looking on at a Klingon fleet suddenly orbiting our world.

Narration, "Today, we're going to take a quick look ..." 33-minutes later ... End screen, "The Five Minute Guide ..." ... Great work and information, Drach! 👍🏻👍🏻

Hi Drac, pedant Nick here. My wife is a NAATI accredited Japanese English interpreter / translator. It was hammered home (hard) early in our relationship that translator is for written and interpreter is for verbal (subtitles she finds perplexing). Ten min's in, awesome as always. Thanks, Nick.

Good to know that the beginnings of IJA and IJN rivalry kinda festered around this era where they wanted Korea

Last time I was this early, the Kamchatka was reporting torpedo boats

"Torpedo boats" *Kamchatka intensifies*

Good stuff as always, Drach. 👍 And the obligatory: 1880’s Britain: Let’s help Japan build a modern navy! What’s the worst that could happen? 1940’s Britain: …

As a 1965 American H. S. graduate, I just increased my knowledge of Japanese history for the period by about 20 fold. Thanks Drach!

4:54 ah yes i caught that reference. I would love to see you some day talk about the depiction of naval warfare in 40k.

This is some high-quality stuff you won't find on TV. Well done.

4:42 a small correction, at that time Japan's capital was Kyoto not Edo (current day Tokyo) where Commodore Perry arrived. Tokyo only became Japan's capital in 1868

Every time I hear about Japan's end to isolationism, it amazes me how quickly they moved when they finally did move. I'm under the strong impression that prior to Perry's arrival, Japan is largely a feudal country, with technology perhaps on par with Rennaissance Italy. It takes them less than a hundred years to build up to be the industrialized expansionist empire of World War 2.

15:05 Heihachiro Togo's career started earlier, as a teenage coastal gunner he was defending Kagoshima during the 1863 Bombardment as in 11:25 Fair enough, he wasn't serving in the navy just yet at the time

Falls asleep listening to Drach. Wakes up to more Drach. Nice.

Consise, erudite, witty, engaging, you are amazing Drach.

Love the Jeremy Clarkson reference :)

21:08 Ryujo! My beloved local lass! First flagship of the IJN, designed by equally local lad, Thomas Blake Glover who would go onto help found the shipyard which would later become Mitsubishi heavy industries. Very informative video Drach, although your pronunciation of Yokosuka does make me want to jam screwdrivers into my ears...

30:53 I knew you were going to bring up that "bridge" quote. I've been chuckling over that exchange ever since I first read Kaigun.

Thank you, Drach. That is a superb introduction to the emergence of the IJN. I like the sound of Yamamoto Mk1. An excellent, no nonsense character who looks as if he had a wry sense of humour from his portrait.

“The black ships”?! The 19th century US Navy was an arm of the Emperor’s Holy Inquisition?!

One thing the Japanese did that I thought was cool was throwing their pride out the window and bringing in professionals to help them build up their military. And they were smart enough to say “ok guys, you can go home, we got it now”, and improve upon what they were taught. And they threw all that out the window in WW2 and assumed that they were the master race while fighting each other in service.

We got a Voltron reference! Well played, Sir.

As a person who is in love with navy and Japan, and also as a student who is studying japanese studies and right now has exams, i appreciate the timing of the video, as it gives me courage. Thank you

26:00 Even back in the 19th century, combining mecha was in the Japanese zeitgeist.

loved that warhammer 40k reference! 🤣

France designs "Worst cruiser ever" asked to leave Japan

I love the content and understand a lot of streamlining needs to be done when discussing the bakumatsu period but have a few nitpicks. The Satsuma Domain (Kagoshima) didn’t end the national ban on the construction of ocean-going warships, rather the domain’s daimyo chose to ignore it and construct one. The Battle of Shimonoseki is a bit misrepresented as the fleets didn’t come together in response to the imperial order to expel the foreigners, but rather in response to the Choshu Domain firing upon trading ships from those nations who were legally present under treaty signed with the shogunate. This chapter of Japanese history was kind of a “choose your own adventure” when it came to daimyo deciding which set of instructions they wished to follow or ignore. Also, Nagasaki was not a chinjufu- Sasebo Chinjufu (naval district) was established in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. The future Admiral Togo would have a hand in Sasebo’s selection as a chinjufu. Sasebo remains the naval district to this day.

Drach, Sunday (1/21) was my 60th birthday. This excellent documentary was a GREAT birthday present. Thanks for uploading it.

From early beginings to hulls at the bottom Truly a grand history of the ijn

The challenge to Japanese isolationism began before the 19th century. It was by Russia starting in the early 18th century after it established a naval presence on Kamchatka. In compliance with orders from Peter the Great, the Siberian Command had repeatedly instructed the governor of Yakutsk to gather the most detailed information possible about Japan. Shipwrecked Japanese were sent west to provide info about the country, learn Russian, and teach Japanese. The voyages to 'Japan' began peculiarly. Cossacks on Kamchatka rebelled against Russian officials. Expecting to be punished, they decided to explore 'Japan' (it was a Kuril island they landed on) in the hope that info they gathered would buy them lighter punishments. In 1713 was the first Russian-authorised excursion to 'Japan'. It was from this they learned the Kuril Islands were not Japan, but the natives had been dealing with the Japanese for years - they had been pushed from northern Japan long ago to Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kurils. Peter the Great ordered another expedition sent to find Japan. The Russians were also keen to learn whether Asia and North America were contiguous. Several voyages were undertaken after much difficulty building ships in the Russian Far East and provisioning. In 1739 the Russians first sighted Honsu, Japan's main island, and first contact was made with the Japanese on 2 July. A gov't official was invited aboard and the Russians shared maps showing how close to Japan Russia was. A report what sent immediately to Edo (Tokyo) via the _daimyo_ (lord) of Sendai domain. Meanwhile, the Russians resumed their voyage along the coast. Until then the Japanese understood the Europeans lived very far away. Europeans living just north of the home islands was a surprise. The Shogunate instructed _daimyo_ to capture the foreign ships if they landed but to let them escape if they fled. And the Dutch at Nagasaki port were contacted to find out what they knew about Russia. Jealously guarding their trade monopoly, they didn't provide a flattering account. Over the following years the Russians kept arriving on the Kuril Islands to exact tribute from the natives. At times these turned into violent raids to seize gold and other riches. Also trading with the natives were. the Japanese and they learned of these incidents. Though the Japanese hadn't considered these islands Japanese, a rival in the neighbourhood caused them concern. In 1771 came the arrival of Hungarian-born adventurer, Mauritius Augustus Count of Benyovszky. He had joined the Poles fighting Russia, was captured, and sent to Kamchatka for imprisonment. He and several fellow prisoners escaped, seized a Russian warship, and sailed for Japan. He arrived, received replenishment from the Japanese, and left several letters. These were sent by the Japanese to the Dutch for translation. _'Having received orders from Russia to reconnoiter [Japanese] strongholds, I sailed this year with two galiots and one frigate from Kamchatka to the Japanese shores and cruised along them. We were supposed to assemble in one place. I have heard the notion expressed with certainty that next year raids will be made on the territories of Matsumae [a Japanese domain on southern Hokkaido] and on neighboring islands. We made a survey of these regions in latitude 41° 38' N. Thereupon we constructed fortifications on the so called Kuril islands, near Kamchatka, and stored military supplies and the like. I did not in the least conceal the above from Hbgoederensu [?] and wanted to report it, but the sending of this kind of letters has been really strictly prohibited by the Russians. Since I have now carried out my fidelity to you I hope you will keep this in strictest confidence even from your friends as we are both Europeans. Speaking secretly, I hope you will send ships from your country [Japan] to ward off that harm [Russia's alleged designs on Japan].'_ According to the Japanese historian Tabohashi, 'this letter created a great sensation not only in the Japanese government, but even more so among thoughtful people in general, exceeding anything that might have been expected.' The Shogunate tried to keep the matter secret, but news leaked out. 'The people did not understand its true significance, important public discussions were provoked and finally, while the Shogunate down to future generations knew well the danger from the northern gates, criticisms were raised that it neglected a countermove.... Scholars who had from previous times secretly heard of Muscovy's southern invasion were frightened out of their wits, and truly calling out in a loud voice, set forth the danger to the northern gate.' Throughout the closing years of the eighteenth century Shogunate officials were busily inspecting Ezo (Hokkaido), Sakhalin, and the southernmost Kuril islands. A Russian settlement on Uruppu (a Kuril island) was considered a serious menace. In 1791 the government issued instructions concerning the proper treatment of foreign vessels that might arrive. All rigging was to be taken off the ship and kept in Japanese hands. The foreigners were to be persuaded to disembark and questioned thoroughly. If they opposed interrogation and resisted inspection there was no objection to their extermination, but if they co-operated, measures must be as peaceful as possible. Stratagems would then have to be devised to detain them. Once on land they were to be put under surveillance and not permitted to return aboard ships. Suspicion and fear of Russia permeated all discussions; opinions and policies advocated differed, but whether they were for or against the establishment of trade relations, favourable or unfavourable for Russia in their implications, they were with few exceptions based on fear of Russia. The proposed means varied, but the end - security from the aggression of the 'northern barbarians' - was the same.

An absolutely fascinating video, and so interesting to see the origins of the Imperial Army and IJN rivalry/deadly conflict!

The last time I was this early Nelson was still captain of captain

Fascinating...thanks Drach, I hope you have not created an enemy of the IJA for siding with the IJN.

Nautical Voltron will live rent free in my head next to Nelson's apotheosis from a boy to a frigate to a naval victory.

Hi drach!! You really have broadened my knowledge of naval history over the years!!❤

firstly, congratulations on this... as a person who has a background in Japanese History, I am very much impressed!!!! given it's complexity I did not really think it possible to cover so much detail of that period of naval development in just 30 minutes of video. I would however beg to very slightly differ on a few points... the first of these is what should be called the Origins of the Imperial Japanese Navy... if you said the Modern Japanese Navy, that would be a different story, but, to me, the Daimyo/clan Navies were occasionally blue-water, to the extent any medieval navy could be that. after all, these navies were effectively traders & pirates all along the coast of the Orient, including places fairly far from the mainland, like Formosa, Okinawa & the Philippines Whilst the quality of the ships was different, there is a direct lineage of experience and command between the Navies of the southern Daimyo domains *(Primarily those of the Sumitomo & Satsuma Clans) & the Navy established by Meiji... using the weakness of the government by the post Genroku period, these clans developed their own independent forces raiding unprotected areas on Russian Chinese and Korean mainland or trading with Okinawa & the European outposts in Formosa, sometimes as far as Thailand and Indochina. (you can see models of those ships in a lot of Clan History museums on Kyushu today) my second (related) contention, is that, I would say, the Ryukyu Kingdom(s) were for most part an independent island based Kingdom, with connections to China and Kagoshima-Satsuma, but not under any of the powers of the region... as may be assumed from this account. by the 18th century, they were also a very useful part in being used as Proxies by the Lords of the Satsuma to covertly connect to the outside world gathering necessary power and skill. the history of their growth and demise as an early oriental navy is in itself quite an interesting study... if you get the chance, certainly quite worth a look at, with it's unique mixed Portuguese-Cog Chinese-Junq style ships and quite different naval tactics based on Polynesian warfare... though I do understand translated material on this topic can be somewhat scarce (even translated from Ryukyu to Japanese)

Listening to this video and realizing I’ve been to both Takachio, it’s a beautiful gorge in Miyazaki prefecture Kyushu, and Kongo, it’s actually called Kongo san in Japanese and is a sacred mountain in Osaka prefecture. It’s a great place to hike.

Classic solo-Drach videos are always a pleasure to watch

Ironically, one of the biggest role models in the formation of the IJN was Admiral Yi, who would have undoubtedly despised the very idea of the IJN had he been able to see the future. Also, Satsuma isn’t a clan, but a location: it’s the name for the Satsuma domain of the Edo period, and the actual samurai clan in charge were the Shimazu (which still exist and have been there for centuries). Choshu is ALSO not a clan name but a domain name (the actual ruling samurai clan there were the Mori, which also still exist; unlike the Shimazu they started out as a weak clan from elsewhere but then took over as a dominant force during the Sengoku Jidai).

The IJN has a fascinating origin from its early years to its zenith in the early 20th century. Its just sad that militarism and ultranationalism would lead too its demise in the aftermath of the WW2.

Amazing stuff, old sail ships with iron hulls were the end of an era.

I just finished Stephen Howarths "Morning Glory" for the third time. Excellent at covering this subject.

Interesting video! The name Yamamoto Gonbee/山本 権兵衛 would be pronounced "Gon-bay" - the ~ee is not an indicator of an English style "ee" sound, but an elongation of the ~e vowel.

Intro music still so good! What an upgrade.

The only reason why I know this somewhat is because of Shogun II

Much appreciated subject for a video! Humble beginnings, quick growth (and later rapid decline...) and problematic relations with the IJA are much the reason I find the IJN so interesting. Of course I love Pagoda masts as well. Looking forward to the next part!

22:09 pretty sure that painting is about one punitive expedition to Taiwan in 1874, a fight against aboriginal Taiwanese, tho in typical fashion, most death are cause by tropical diseases

Your storytelling is absolutely on top... Love, how you manage bringing a fine smile to horrendous things happened in their time. Keep on getting us more rum !

I got to say, those red hulled japanese sailing frigates look really nice!

Fantastic subject for a video. Thanks, Patreon people!

I can see how selling off older, un-needed warships could be a significant source of income to a victorious and war weary treasury but the hoops to jump through must have been significant. Is there any historical data on the process any of the nations went through in order to sell warships?

This just came up for me this morning. Although I can't say I watch every one of your videos, I really enjoy the ones I do. This one has been particularly fascinating, covering the political events that drove the situation and the technology forward.

Excellent as usual! Well prepared and presented. Thanks 👍

Another fantastic display, thank you Drach!

fantastic vid sir - one of my favorites of your work. Thank you.

Love these documentaries. Both informative and entertaining. Thank you.

Fascinating. Well done Drachinifel.

Absolutely fascinating topic. I hope the follow up video is soon in coming.

Drach, enjoy all your videos but this one was outstanding. Learned a lot.

These are the kind of interesting topics I come for especially. Excellent work as always

Love your videos. Learning the history can be quite helpful to understanding how and why the world works in the ways it does today

Great presentation, as always, with remarkably wonderful illustrations. I'm seriously impressed.

This was really well done and informative, li must say, anytime you do so, you start reading off names of ships in the fleets it gets me to hear the names of ships i had come to know as a youngster studying ww1, and ww2. Now i thought the frigate battles of 1812 was a series i was most interested in, and boom, you present this and i am doubly hooked. Thanks drach.

i love your histories, drach. keep on keepin' on

Fantastic job! I enjoy and am fascinated by the history of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Nice research. You have the best naval information on RU-vid. The best research, presentation and humor, too.

Last time I was this early, I wasn't late for work.

I hope you can continue the series on the IJN soon, since it is a subject I know little about, prior to WW2.

No directly naval related, but the difference between china and japan opening up are very noticeable. The first train line in China was unauthorized and was bought then dismantled. The first train line in Japan was a Japanese venture.

So that's why an IJN BB was named Satsuma

Once again, an excellent history.

I really enjoyed this one.

Great video thank you drachif

This is the naval history video I didn't realise I needed.

Titles are usually on point but this was above par. Bravo

14:18 This picture rocks, even if i can't make head nor tail of what's going on. I mean, look at the guy in the middle bottom part of the image, dual-wielding katanas like a boss!

Great video!

amazing video

The Kamchatka drinking game: every time you hear “torpedo boats” in a Drach video, you toss your binoculars into the drink and smoke an opium cigarette.

As a teenage anarchist forced into a job by my parents I got a mention!!

"Nautical conga line / Voltron". 😂

Deffo want to see more on this.

Amazing video. Please, make it into a series!\

This is just so much good

These are better than most tv documentary programs.

I'm loving those Japanese prints you used in this vid 👍

Great work

It's a hard choice Drac, your video was excellent with the right amount of humour! But the comments below are priceless.

Great video.

Thanks Drach.

Last time I was this early, Tomozuru was still right-side-up.